Effects of different warm-up periods on knee proprioception and balance in healthy young individuals.

MedLine Citation:

PMID:
18515917
Owner:
NLM
Status:
MEDLINE

Abstract/OtherAbstract:

CONTEXT: There is limited information on the effects of different warm-up periods on proprioception and balance in the context of injury prevention. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of warm-up exercises on knee proprioception and balance and to compare the effectiveness of warming up periods. DESIGN: Pretest/posttest. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 30 healthy subjects (19 women, 11 men; mean age 20.70 +/- 0.99 years). INTERVENTIONS: Exercise groups performed warm-up exercises (group 1, 5 minutes; group 2, 10 minutes). Joint Position Sense (JPS) was tested at 15 degrees , 30 degrees , and 60 degrees knee flexion (KF) on a JPS device. Balance was measured using the Neurocom Balance Master System. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: JPS absolute error (AE) was measured at 15 degrees , 30 degrees , and 60 degrees KF and postural control was measured. RESULTS: After exercise, we found significant improvements for AE of JPSs of 30 degrees right (R) KF, 15 degrees left (L) KF, and 60 degrees L KF in group 1. In group 2, AE of JPS values increased for all angles of both knees except 60 degrees R KF. AE of JPS values of 15 degrees R KF, 30 degrees R KF, 15 degrees L KF, 60 degrees L KF were significantly different in group 2 compared with group 1. In balance measurements, there were significant improvements for standing on foam with eyes closed (EC) position, velocity and R-L unilateral stance EC in group 1. There were significant improvements for velocity, end point, maximum excursion, and L unilateral stance EC in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Both warm-up periods have positive effects on knee proprioception and balance. The 10-minute warm-up exercise improved proprioception by a greater amount than the 5 minutes warm-up exercise.